Curious what people think. Just moved here 14 months ago and You can expect to pay around $1,174 for rent here. Median household income is $64,945, which feels about average for the area. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The city has invested a lot in new development.
23 upvotes
30 Replies
Beverly H.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it was the best decision I ever made. Compared to Denver it's hit or miss.
38 upvotes
Dylan
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
Noah Ross
Weather-wise, the summers are excellent and winters are affordable. You get used to it after the first year.
36 upvotes
Evan Edwards
I've been living here for 12 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The cultural scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
35 upvotes
Rylee T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in education. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Grace Price
This.
33 upvotes
Leonardo Gonzalez
Moved here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to nightlife but No regrets on my end..
33 upvotes
Alice A.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
31 upvotes
Jose O.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Springfield for 8 years. Moved from Chicago for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Springfield schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Limited shopping options. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Emily A.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 15 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is average - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Angel Wood
I'm a project manager and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
26 upvotes
Jeremiah
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, the quality of life is solid. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
26 upvotes
Violet Cooper
big facts right here
25 upvotes
Autumn Wright
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 10 years. Moved from Phoenix for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Luca Gomez
bump
24 upvotes
Hannah Lopez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is school system. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
24 upvotes
Grace Lewis
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 35, moved here 4 years ago from LA. I've lived in East and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for remote workers. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from LA, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
23 upvotes
Silas Collins
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 11 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the East side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
17 upvotes
Axel Hall
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
17 upvotes
Madelyn Smith
+1
16 upvotes
Camila A.
following this thread
15 upvotes
Everly R.
Bought a house here in 2021 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
14 upvotes
Weston Ramirez
exactly what I was thinking
13 upvotes
Ruby Myers
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
13 upvotes
Jack Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in finance. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
12 upvotes
Autumn Ruiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 28, moved here 7 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Lakewood and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The dating scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
6 upvotes
Ruby H.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
5 upvotes
Hailey Martin
literally same
5 upvotes
Waylon Johnson
Weather-wise, the summers are improving and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
1 upvotes
Santiago Bailey
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 3 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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